At the end of the first meeting of the new executive, the Socialist mayor, who succeeded Fernando Ruas (PSD), assured journalists that the matter is being addressed “with great responsibility and urgency”.
“The City Council is obligated to create the necessary infrastructure for the INEM helicopter to be operational at the Viseu aerodrome, conditions which have never been met. Therefore, we will have to find solutions in the coming months,” he emphasized.
On Saturday, INEM announced that the new emergency helicopter transport contract, awarded to the Maltese company Gulf Med Aviation Services, ensures “permanent availability” of the four aircraft based in Macedo de Cavaleiros, Viseu, Évora, and Loulé, “providing air coverage throughout the mainland territory” on a “24-hour, seven-day-a-week” basis.
According to João Azevedo, there was a commitment from the Viseu municipality to “create conditions to have a hangar so that the helicopter could naturally be sheltered there,” but upon taking office, he found “the process was at a standstill.”
The mayor took office late Friday afternoon and spent Saturday and Sunday at the municipal aerodrome.
“We have already reached some conclusions regarding what needs to be done,” he told journalists, adding that “all possibilities” are being considered, including a temporary solution.
The lack of a solution “in a timely manner” could have prevented the INEM helicopter from returning to Viseu, João Azevedo noted, assuring that the new executive will “try to make up for lost time.”
